Spark a Revolution in Early Education - by Rae Pica (Paperback)

About the Book

"Rae Pica's Spark a Revolution in Early Education provides a conversational approach to advocating for active, play-based learning for the development and education of the whole child. Including chapters on debunking myths in early childhood education, advocacy basics, and strategies for speaking up, this book provides early childhood educators research and actionable steps for approaching decision makers to generate necessary change in early education policymaking"--

Book Synopsis

Join the revolution in early childhood education!

Early childhood educators are facing a crucial inflection point in the profession. Active learning for the whole child has been increasingly ignored by early childhood education decision-makers. Research shows that children need movement and play and joy to learn to their fullest potential--yet the educational system pushes worksheets and takes away time outdoors, among many other harmful and developmentally inappropriate teaching practices. Educators everywhere are tired of witnessing unrealistic expectations and impossible attempts to accelerate child development, stripping children of authentic learning--and their giggles. They are disturbed by the inequities that exist in education and want to see every child provided with the good foundation a quality early education can supply. They are fed up with the nonsense depriving children of childhood, requiring them to teach in ways that they know aren't right! Without an understanding of child development guiding ECE policies, children have lost their love of learning and play and face growing health issues.

This book challenges and inspires early childhood professionals to advocate for change in the field while giving them the research underpinnings and tools they need to take real action and bring back active, play-based learning for the development and education of the whole child. Including chapters on debunking myths in early childhood education, advocacy basics, and strategies for speaking up, it dispels the fears associated with speaking up and banishes all doubts about the need to advocate bravely and widely, proving the need to change course and providing practical and actionable steps for speaking to decision makers and convincing them to pursue change. Spark a Revolution in Early Education busts four myths--earlier is better, children learn by sitting, digital devices are important to learning, and play time is not productive time--to push for "Rae's Revolution" and get educators everywhere to stand up for the children.

Review Quotes

As an early childhood teacher educator for nearly 20 years, I have longed for a book that helps teachers unravel the myths that harm children and take on the responsibility of being an advocate. This is the book I've been searching for. Rae Pica provides a clear and succinct description of how our unrealistic beliefs and expectations have turned early education into an academic-focused training ground. She shows early childhood teachers how to be the spark to ignite a revolution that will save our profession, our children, and ourselves. This is a great book for first-year students and can serve as inspiration for experienced teachers who "are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore."

--Denisha Jones, PhD, JD, Executive Director, Defending the Early Years, Faculty, Art of Teaching, Sarah Lawrence College 

Absolutely essential reading for every teacher, parent, policymaker and citizen who cares about childhood education. But I'd go further than that. I encourage every family to discuss the book out loud with their children, so young people can think critically about the system, and think about ways to spark a revolution to improve it. No one has captured the voice of children--and of science--better than Rae Pica in this wonderful book. 

--William Doyle, co-author, Let the Children Play

WOW! What a masterful, hopeful, and practical book! Spark a Revolution in Early Education is a training manual for anyone who wants to see a change in our current educational system. Rae reveals not only the constraints that have held us back but more importantly shows us the way forward. This book is packed full of valuable tips and ideas for being a champion of play for the newbie as well as the experienced advocate. You won't find a more helpful book on advocating for play. Bravo Rae!

--Sally Haughey, founder, Fairy Dust Teaching

Sign me up! In Sparking a Revolution in Early Education, Rae Pica says what so many of us feel--we have to do better for our children. Beautifully written and with a real sense of urgency, she uses science and best practices to jumpstart policy makers to go beyond fake "views" of child learning and to set an agenda that helps all families thrive. Timely and compelling, this book is an important call to action.

--Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, co-author of Einstein Never Used Flashcards, Becoming Brilliant, and Making Schools Work

About the Author

Rae Pica is an education consultant dedicated to the development and education of the whole child. A former adjunct instructor at the University of New Hampshire, she is the author of 20 books, including the textbook Experiences in Movement and Music and What If Everybody Understood Child Development?: Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives.

A popular keynote speaker, Rae also offers online courses and has shared her expertise with such groups as the Sesame Street Research Department, the Head Start Bureau, Bright Horizons, the Centers for Disease Control, and schools, resource and referral agencies, and health departments throughout the country.